Automatic regulator



My 19,v 1931.

. C. REEDER AUTOMATIC REGULATOR Filed July 10, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet lEnvcntor im C.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F.Zc. REEDER AUTOMATIC REGULATOR Fired July 1o, 1929Lttorncg May 19, 1931.

Patented May 19, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANK C. REEDER, OFKNOXVILLE, TENN ASSIGNOR TOy THE FULTON SYLPHON COMPANY, OF KNOXVILLE,TENNESSEE, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE -AUTOMATIC REGULATOR Applicationfiled July 10,

This invention relates to systems for heating a container to apredetermined temperature andthen cooling the same, and moreparticularly to apparatus for'automatically controlling the heating andcooling of glue kettles and the like. While the invention VWillhereinafter be described as embodied in l a system for heating andcooling a glue kettle, itis to be expressly understood that theinvention` is capable of other uses Where it is desired to first heat aVgiven container to a predetermined temperature, and then cool the same.j

lIn an automatic glue `kettle it is` desirable to h eat thegluerapidlyto a predetermined temperature, and then cool the glue quickly. To thisend it has heretofore been proposed to provide agluekettle with a jackethaving steam inlet and outlet` connections, and Water inlet ,and outletconnections, and to heat the glue rapidly to the desired temperature bythe admission of steam to the jacket, and then relieve the steampressure in thevjacket and admit cold` Water thereto. Systems of thischaracter as` heretofore proposed have included a number `of valveswhich have requiredindependent manipulation in order to first admit thesteam, and then cut off the steam and relieve `the steam pressure, andthen` admit the Water. i

It is an Aobject of thisinvention to provide a device of the typecharacterized With automatic mechanism vwhereby, when the predeterminedtemperature has been reached, the admission of heating medium visstopped, the pressure relieved. and cool- .ing` medium `admitted Withoutthe intervention of anoperator.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of .therharacterdescribed Which can` be readily controlled and operated by unskilled'Vlabor, Which is relatively simple in construction and inexpensive toinstall, and .Which'is eilicient in operation.` Other objects willappear as the descrip- `tion of the invention proceeds. j The inventionis capable of receiving a Avariety of mechanical expressions, one ofwhich is shown more or less diagrammatie cally on the accompanyingdrawings, but it 1929. Serial No. 377,243.

is to be expressly understood that the drawings are for purposes ofillustration only and not to be construed as a definition of the limitsof the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for thatpurpose. j

Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein the same referencecharacters indicate corresponding parts in the several figures, t

Fig. 1 is a more or less diagrammatic elevation of` a system embodyingthe present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged axial section illustrating the temperaturecontrolled valve employed in the embodiment of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged axial section illus` trating the pressurecontrolled valve employed in the embodiment of Fig. 1.

` In the form shown, 10 designates a glue kettle of any suitable size,construction and material, and shown as provided with a surroundingjacket 11 for the reception of the heating and cooling mediums.Communicating with the jacket adjacent the upper extremity of the kettleis an inlet pipe 12 for `any suitable heating medium, such as steam,which leads from any suitable source of steam supply. Interposed in saidinlet pipe 12 `is a hand-controlled valve 13, a strainer 14,` atemperature controlled valve 15, a T leading to a pressure gauge 16, anda T leading to a vacuum vent valve 17 which will open to relieve thevacuum in the system.

Communicating with the jacket adjacent the bottom thereof is a pipe 18which serves both as an outlet for the heat-ing medium, asthe steamcondensate, and an inlet for the cooling medium, as Water, ashereinafter explained. Pipe 18 may be provided with a drain extension 19provided with a handcontrolled valve 20, if desired. Pipe 18 includes inits length a T connection for the Water inlet pipe 21, an automaticvalve 22, and a T connection for the Water outlet pipe 23, and leads toa steam trap 24 of any suitable construction, shoivn as provided withthe usual by-pass and shut-olf valves so that the lines may be drainedand the sediment Y ,lapsible' chamber 47, shown as having its lateralWall composed' of av deeply-corru- V.io

removed therefrom, said traps communicatn v2.9, which, at its upper end,communicates With the steam inlet pipe 12 and, at its lower end',communicates With the'automatic valve 22 to be described.

Valve lin the steam line 12 is designed to be closed automatically"Whenthe glue Within th'ekettlel() has reached aA predeter-V minedtemperature, say 165F.f for example.

To this lend any: suitable mechanism may bez provided for closing theYvalve 15vr When'the desired temperature has been reached. The mechanismemployed inthe embodiment 'il'-y lustrated Vis shown in detail in Fig.2.1 As

here lsho`v\7n,'the valve,vvhich may be of any .suitable construction,includes a housing-'34 provided With suitable inlet and outlet con#nections and ,a valve seat 36. Valve member 37 is'connected to a' stem38 which extends Voutvvardly'through the bonnetV and lgland and carriesVa yokeV 39.` VSuitably mounted on thevalve housing 35 vis a frame! 40vto which is pivoted a lever V41 thatis Y also received Within `the yoke39 and suitably pi'voted thereto.: vLever 41 Vcarries a 'latchpin 42 andthe outer end of'said lever may be vprovid'edlvvitha'suitable spring or,

as s'hovvn,"a Weight 43, vvhereby the lever 41'V is normally Yurged adirection 'to' lclose the valve member'.' Also pivoted on 'the viframe40 is a latch 44 Which may engage With'the latchpin 42 and lock thelever41 in its position in vvhichvtvhe valve member is'heldiopen.' .v fY l Cooperating with the latch 44 is aplunger Y rod 45l which hasy itsopposite endoperatively connected to or associated With the mov'- ableend lWall '46'of'an expansible and Vcolf'gated highly-flexible tubularWall, preter- ,-tojth'e frame 40 ink anyr suitable rWay, .andlea'dingfthrough."said.'stationary end Wall ris ablyoi: resilient metal,and suitablyse'cured to the movable end Wall 46 and a stationary fend'vval'l'. 48, vbyv brazing. orl soldering. VThefstationary, endv Wall"4,8 of said expansif ble-Mid collapsiblechamber 47 is attached a "pipe49, vvhioh maybe rigid orflexible,

fvhich communicates Witha bulb 50 ofany suitable constructionandfmou'nted Within thefglue kettle .inr anyr'suitable Way. Asshownysaidfpipe 49 is extended into ythe bulb int'oadjacency With thelovverV extremitythereof so as to provide a trap for the vapor WithinVsaid bulb, as explained moreV in detail' in Fulton Patent No. 1,192,uVO35. The expansibleand collapsible cham-y ber 47 `and* pipe 49 are lledwith a volatile liquid Which also partially fills thebulb 50, leaving a.vapor space Within the latter above the surface of the liquid.V Uponriseof temperature the vapor pressure in the bulb 5 0.y increases andvforces some or the volatile liquid from said bulb-.through the pipe 49into the chamber 47, to expand the latter..V To determine thetemperature'at Whichv said chamber shall expand, suitable means areprovided for opposing expanslon 'of said chamber until the pressure hasreached a predetermined amount. In the form shoWn',-a coillvspring 51has one end:

.cooperating with the movable end Wall 46V or Vsaid chamber and itsvopposite end'ab'utting 'against jan` adjustable plate 52 which is en-r'gaged by 'a nut53 on the'threaded guide tubel 54,: so thatthe'te'nsionl ofthe spring 51. may be adjusted, andthereforethe pressureVthat mustfexistto expand saidl -chamber 47, and the temperaturecorresponding to Vsuch pressure', may be predetermined.

j The bulb 50'being mounted `as shown, so that it extends into and issubjected Vto Vthe temperature orthe glue Within theV kettle, When thetemperature ofthe glue has reached the `desired degree,A thel vapor 1pressure sWithin the bulb 50 vacts toY expandl the chamf ber 47, inthemanner heretofore described,

Vforcing the plunger rod '45-downvvardly'to move thelatch 44 inaclockwisefdirection about its pivot, and thereby releasing'V the lever41,y which drops under thevaction of the Weight 43 and closes the valvemember 37, to vdiscontinue ythe admission ofsteam.

, The valvel 22 interposed in the line 18 Vis to Vremain open as. longasVste'am'is admitted to the kettle jacket, sothat the condensate l mayl`escape,'fbut vv'henA the admission of steam is discontinued, and acooling v,medi

um, as vvater,;i s to be`admittedthe valve'22 closes so that lthe water:admitted-to "the: line-18 Will be vrorcedto ovvl through the f l'lOjacket of the kettle.; I'Iothis end valve'22 isof vanysuitable'constructionso that it Will vremain open asl long .asf `steamis" admitted to the' kettle. but 'will close automaticallyv as soonasthe admission or steamv isfdiscontin'- ued. The valve employedin theembodiment rillustrated is *shown in V detail 'in Fig; 3,Y 'lvvhere`said valve 'comprisesfa' housing 59 having f'suitable' inlet VVandoutletV connec-Y tions y60v and 'a valve ise'at'l. '.lher'f'valve-member Y62 iscarried lby a steml dvvhich extends outwardlyfjthrough thebonnet and gland to a yoke `64."*'Suitablymounted yon the valve housingk59y isa frame 65 in Which is pivoteda levertgthat Vis received in theyoke 64 and suitablypivoted thereto'. *Lever 66 also carries a latch pinn'67, and cooperatingvwith the outer end thereofmay vbe a spring or,shown, a'WeightbSWhiCh normally urgesfsaid leverfin the directiontoclosel the:"va1've` member `v 62. 'Pivotally 'izo ies

'iso

mounted in the frame `is a latch 69 with which cooperates a plunger` rodhaving its opposite end suitably Vattached to the movable end wall 71 ofan expansible and collapsible `chamber 72, shown as having its lateralwall composed of a deeply corrugated, highly-flexible tubular wall 73,preferably of resilient metal, and suitably attached at its oppositeends to said movable end wall 71 and a stationary end wall 74, as bysoldering or brazing. Said stationary end wall 74 is suitably fixed inthe frame 65 and extending through said stationary end wall 74 is a pipe75 which leads from the lower end of the pipe 29 heretofore described.Cooperating with the movable end wall 71 of the expansible andcollapsible chamber 72 is a coil spring 76 which abuts against anadjustable plate 77 which is engaged by a nut 7 8on the threaded guidetube 79. lCoil spring 76 normally urges the expansible and collapsiblechamber 72 toward collapsed condition. As long as steam pressure ismaintained on the line 29, however, said chamber 72v is` expanded andtheplunger rod 7 0 permits the latch 69 4to remain in the position shown inFig. 3. When the steam inlet valve 15 is .closed and the pressure istaken ofi' of the line 29, the chamber 72 is collapsed by the coilspring 66, raising the plunger rod 70, and causing the latch 69 to movearound its pivot in an anticlockwise direction, whereupon the lever 66drops under the action of its weight 68 to close the valve member 62 andthereby shut oiii direct communication between the water inlet pipe 21and the waste or return pipe 25. j

AMeans are also provided whereby, when the steam valve 15 is closed, theautomatic valve 26 in the water inlet line 21 is automatically opened.`Valve 26 may be of any suitable construction, being shown as aconventional Hush valve of the type which permits water to i'low'therethrough as long as the controlling lever is depressed. To opensaid valve 26 when the valve 15 is closed the lever of the flush valveis suitably connected, as by a link 86, with the lever 41 of the steamvalve 15. A check valve may also be interposed in the pipe 21 to preventthe steam pressure backing up into the flush valve 26. i 4

In operation the operator opens the valves 15 and 22 by raising thelevers 41 and 66 until their latch pins 42 and 67 respectivelyare-engaged with the latches 44 and 69 respectively, and said valves arethereby latched in open position. Steam is there- :tore admitted to thesystemthrough the valve 15 from the pipe 12 and the steam pressure alsoiiows into line 29 iilling the expansible and collapsible chamber 72, tohold the latter expanded. At this time the `expansible and collapsiblechamber 47 is contracted because the vapor pressure in the bulb 50 islow, in conformity with the temperature of the glue. The condensate ofthe steam tlows from the jacket 11 through the pipe'18 and valve 22 tothe steam trap 24, and thence to the waste or return line 25. Thiscondition maintains until the glue has reached the temperature desired,the heating of the glue being relatively rapid because of the use in thesurrounding jacket of steam of suitable temperature and pressure. Vhenthe desired temperature is reached, the vapor pressure in the bulb 50causes theexpansible and collapsible chamber 47 to expand and trip thelatch 44, permitting the lever 41 to fall under the influence of theweight 43. This not only closes the steam valve 15 but simultaneouslyopens the Hush valve 26, and by reason of the loss of pressure in theline 29 the evpansible and collapsible chamber 72 is collapsed by thespring 76, actuating the latch 69 and permitting lever 66 toclose thevalve 22. Not only is the pressure thus automatically relieved `in thesystem but cooling water is at once admitted to the pipe 21 and flowsthrough the pipe 18 into the jacket 11, where the glue is rapidly cooledto the desired temperature, the water lowing upwardly through the jacket11 and out through the steam inlet pipe 12, and the water outlet pipe 23to the waste pipe or return line.

It will, therefore, be perceived that assoon as the desired temperatureis reached in the `kettle the admission of steam is'automatical-`rapidly cooledas soon as it has reached the desired temperature.Furthermore, the paratus provided is one that can be readily controlledand operated by unskilled labor,

.as an operator is only required to latch the two valve levers in openposition when the batch to be heated has been placed in the kettle, andthereafter no further supervision or control by hand is required, sincethe 4heating of the glue'will be discontinued, and

the glue rapidly cooled, as soon as the glue has been brought to thepredetermined temperature. The apparatus is also simple in construction,inexpensive to install, and highly eiiicient in operation.

While the embodiment of the invention illustrated on the drawings hasbeen described withl considerable particularity,. it

- j is tobe expressly understood that Ithe in'- V.Velltion is notrestricted thereto, as the same is capable of receiving va variety ofmechanicalexpressions, sonie of which vwill nowL readily suggestthemselves to those 'skilled inthe art, while changesmay be made in thedetails fof construction, arrangement and proportion of parts .withoutdeparting from thespirit' of this invention. ul'ar forms oftemperaturecontrolled Vand -pr'esfsurejcontrolled 'valves .have been illustratedand described, itis to be expressly understood that the invention-is notrestricted tothe use of the particular. constructions illustrated, as itisfvwithin the contemplation'of this invention to `usehany suitabletemperature controlled valve for terminat- Ving the-admission of heatingmedium and any `suitable automatic valve forsimultaneyously closing ythe4,outlet line, and any-suitable automatically operated valve-can belem-l ployed Vfor admittingthe cooling medium when: the .admissionof vheating medium4 is `.terminatedg Reference iis thereforeto be had /tothefclaims hereto appended for a defl- "-1. v In af device of- .the.character described,

in combination with a container, ajacket therefor and connectionsleading -to and from said jacket andjcommunicating with sources ofheating and cooling medium, a

l valvecontrolling the admission offheating vmedium, a valve controllingthe admission of -cooling medium,a thermostat -for operating said'firstlnamed valve, andconnections lincludin ,aymovable member betweensaid valves W erebyv said, second ,named valve is opened* :andsaidirstnamed valve is closed by the movement ofsaid inembenl Y 2. In a`device ofthecharacter described,

inV combination with .-a container, a jacket therefor and connectionsleading to and from 'Y 'L saidfjacket and communicating 4with sources ofheating andcooling medium, a valve. con- .troll'i'ng'-the admission ofheatingmedium, a

' valve; controlling the .escape ofthe heating medium, a valve forcontrolling the admissionrof, cooling medium, and temperature controlledmeans;v vfor operating. said.` valves A simultaneously. ,Y .i

3., In a device lofthecharacter-described,

in combination withy a container, `a .jacket therefor and connectionsleading toV and from said jacket andcommunicating with sources ofheating and-cooling medium, a

'valve controlli-ng theadmission' 0f/heating medium,"ay valve forcontrolling *thel escape of yheating medium, "a valvey for controllingthe admission vof cooling medium, connectionsbetween Vsaidwjirst andAthird valves 'whereby` said third valve vis opened 'when` Seidfile?rlreis elena @ed was whereby` While partic- 4medium ceases totlow.

moese? when said first valve is closed.

4..,In a device of the chara ter described, in combination withVa:containertafjacket vsaid second; valve is automaticallyclosedtherefor- .and connections;VA leading :V to` and fromV said" jacket andcommunicatinguwith sources of heating 'and cooling Vmedium ,ka valvecontrolling` the admission of heating y medium, awvalve controlling theVadmission of coolingvmedium, connections'betvveen .Said valveswherebysaid secondwvalveis automatically opened whenl said irstvalve isclosed, an outlet valve, `and means whereby said outlet valve isautomatically; closed when: :said rst valve is closed.

5.v In a device k,ofthe-character described',

in 'combination with a container, a jacket Ytherefor and.connections?leading1tol and Vfrom* said.k jacket and communicatingAwith* sources of heating and Y coolinglrmediufm,"v a valve controllingthe admission of heating medium, a .valve controllingthe admission ofcoolingmediuim connections between said valves whereby said second valveis opened when said jirst valve ils-"closed, anjou'tleti valve, yandmeans controlledfbythe pressure 'In 'said e acket 'for closing lthe lastVVnamed valve. u l -f Y 16. In a device j in combinationhwith `acontainerav jacket ofV Vthe character described, i

therefor and connections`,leading" to and from said jacket andcommunicating with .sources yof heating andcooling medium, a valvecontrollingthe admission of v heating medium, a valve controlling the.admission I ,of vcoolingV medium, connections between `said vvalveswhereby `said second, valveV is opened when saidV first valve `isclosed,jan outlet valve, means operativelyl vconnected to said outletvalve whereby saidvalve is held open .as longvas said heating -fmediumisadmitted -to the system and a thermostat for determining the operationof, said 'valvesal y f 7 In' a device ofthe; characterr described, incombination with acontainer, a. jacket therefor and connectionswleadingtor and from, saidv jacket Yand communicating `with sources ofheatingand cooling fmedium, a valve for admitting heating medium, a valve forladmitting .cooling medium, Vconnections between said vvalves wherebysaid second valve is `opened n. when said firstV valve is :close-d, athermostat for operatingfsaidlirst jvalve,an outlet valve,vand means forclosing said outletv valve when saidf heating In afdevice ofthecharacter described,

-in combination with laY container, 'a jacket iio closed, a themostatfor operating said first valve, an outlet valve, and means controlled bythe pressure of the heating medium for closing said outlet valve.

9. In a device of the character described, in combination with acontainer, a jacket therefor and connections leading to and from saidjacket and communicating with sources of heating and cooling medium, a

Avalve for admitting heating medium, a valve for admitting coolingmedium, connections between said valves whereby said second valve isopened when said first valve is closed, a thermostat for operating saidfirst valve, an outlet valve, a pipe subjected to the pressure of theheating medium when said first named valve is open, and means associatedwith said pipe and said outlet valve whereby said outlet valve is closedwhen the pressure of the heating medium is taken off of said pipe.

10. In a device of the character described, in combination with acontainer, a jacket therefor and connections leading to and from saidjacket and communicating with sources of heating and cooling medium, avalve for admitting heating medium, means for latching said valve inopen position, a thermostat for releasing said valve, a valve forcontrolling the admission of cooling me dium, and connections betweensaid valves for opening said last named valve by the closure of saidfirst named valve.

ll. In a device of the character described, in combination with acontainer, a jacket therefor and connections leading to and from saidjacket and communicating with sources of heating and cooling medium, avalve for admitting heating medium, means for latching said valve inopen position, a thermostat for releasing said valve, a valve forcontrolling the admission of cooling medium, connections between saidvalves for opening said last named valve when said first named valve isclosed, an outlet valve, means for latching said outlet valve in openposition, and means whereby said outlet valve is released when saidfirst named valve is closed.

l2.' In a device of the character described, in combination with acontainer, a jacket therefor and connections leading to and from saidjacket and communicating with sources of heating and cooling medium, avalve controlling the admission of heating medium, means including alatch for holding'said valve open, an expansible and collapsible chamberoperatively connected to said latch for releasing said valve, meanswhereby said chamber is expanded when the temperature in said containerreaches a predetermined degree, a valve for controlling the admission ofcooling medium, and connections between said valves whereby said lastnamed valve is opened by the closure `of said first named valve. l i

13. In 4a device of the character y described, in combination with acontainer, a-

jacket therefor and connections leading to and from said jacket `andcommunicating with sources of heating and cooling medium, ayalvecontrolling the admission of heating medium, means including "a latchfor 'holding said valve open, an AeX- pansible and collapsible chamberoperatively'connected to said latch for releasing said valve, meanswhereby said chamber is eX- pandedwhen the temperature in said container`reaches a predetermined degree, a valve controlling the admission ofcooling medium, connections between said valves whereby said last namedvalve is opened when said first named valve is closed, an outlet valve,and connections between said first named valve and said outlet valvewhereby said outlet valve is closed when said first named valve isclosed.

y 14E. In a device of the character described, in combination with acontainer, a jacket therefor and connections leading to and from saidjacket and communicating with sources of heating and cooling medium, a`

valve controlling the admission of heating medium, means including alatch for holding said valve open, an expansible and collapsible chamberoperatively connected to said latch for releasing said valve, meanswhereby said chamber is expanded when the temperature in said containerreaches a predetermined degree, a valve for controlling in combinationwith a container, a jacket'` therefor and connections leading to andfrom said jacket andcommunicating with sources of heating and coolingmedium, a valve controlling the admission `of heating medium, a valvecontrolling the admission of cooling medium, automatic means for closingsaid first valve and opening said second valve, said cooling mediumflowing through said jacket in the opposite direction to said heatingmedium and leaving the jacket through the steam inlet `connections andmeans for automatically closing` said steam outlet connections when saidsecond named valve is open.

16. In a device of the character described, i

in combination with a container, a jacket therefor and connectionsleading to and j Y -g maneges?? fromwsaid jacket*and'conimunicating Withsources of heating 'and cooling mediunn, a valvecontrollingftheadmission of heating medium, aV Vvalve controlling'. the admission` oficooling medium, automatici-means *for closing said first Valve andvopening said. second Valve, an outlet. `Valve, and automatic meansYi'orl closingv said outlety valve When said 'flrst named valve isclosed. i

V117. In adevice of the character described, i

the combination fof a container', `a jacket therefor, connectionsqtosaid jacket fromy sources ofY heating and' cooling medium, 'andproviding outflowr of the cooling'medium c through the inlet Y forV the.heating medium,

meansffor admitting heating medium to' -sai'df-v jacket, meansv .foradmitting cooling medium toI said jacket, temperature con' trolledbmeansWhereby'the admission of heat'- ing medium is stopped and thel'admissionofi cooling medium is initiated When the tein-y perature in saidcontainer reaches a predetermined degree, and means forautomaticallypreventingescape oftherco'oling mediumfthjroughythe outletconnection for the heating medium.'V

1'18. In a deviceo'f the character described,

e in combination with acontainer, a jacketV therefor andfclonnectionsleading to and.

' from j' said jacket and communicatingy 4With i sio'nofic'oolingmediumYi's initiated'when the v Y temperaturel in said@ container reaches apredetermined degree,`f said cooling, 'medium-r flo-Wing from, thejacket throughthel inlet for theheating medium, and, means for closing;the outlet` for the heating/medium when,"

the.' admission of heating medium; is .termif19. @In aV device of.' the'character described, f in combination With 'acontainer,` a jackettherefor and connections leading to. and; fromsaid jacket and-com'niunicatingv,Withl l sourcesvfof lllea'ting and Vcooling medium-,Ll

means foradmi'tt-ng heating medium to said ,l jacket, means foradmitting-V 'cooling medium toe said jacket-'to flow' therethrough inthef,V

o pposite'jdirectionv from said heating medifr um, t emperaturecontrolled means Where-V by-`the admission of heating medium Yis stoppedandfthe admission of cooling medli.V`

isy initiated- ;When'the temperature in, said containerV` reach/es, aVVpredetermined degree, anfoutletyalve for theheatingmedium, andf`Ineansfforr closing"saidv outlet Valve vwhen Y the pressure of theheating' medium istakenn .j

off; of the j acket.

.. .hun

